Time just slips away...

Intrinsic Motivation

Midjourney Prompt - Paint a Salvador Dali image depicting Intrinsic motivation with soft watches

Intrinsic motivation is when you do something because you enjoy it or find it personally rewarding. Not because of any external reward or punishment - like a job with a pay-check.

Webster defines intrinsic as “belonging to the essential nature or constitution of a thing”.

Some examples of intrinsic motivation include:

- Reading a book because you find the story interesting

- Exercising because it makes you feel good about yourself

- Learning a new skill because you want to challenge yourself

Intrinsic motivation comes from within, rather than being driven by outside factors like money, praise, or avoiding consequences. It involves engaging in an activity for the inherent satisfaction and fulfillment it provides. 

I find hobbies are motivated by intrinsic qualities. What would I do if I could do anything I wanted to do for the next period of time?

Do you do certain things where the time involved seems to become irrelevant and kind of melts away? 

• Reading: You might read a book because you love the story and the writer’s style. Or an audiobook. Spotify now lets you listen to 15 hours of audiobooks per month with a your premium subscription.

• Playing a Musical Instrument: You might practice playing your guitar because you enjoy making music and improving your skills. Or you love playing with your band.

• Helping a Friend: You might help a friend by lending a hand, or working on a project together. Sharing your time to teach someone a thing you know but they want to.

• Exploring Nature: You might go for a hike in the forest because you love being outdoors and discovering new things.

• Creating Artwork: You might spend hours drawing or painting because you find it relaxing and fulfilling. I also enjoy creating AI images with Midjourney types of software.

• Writing code, and or designing a website. Or learning new ways to style a website, or try to replicate something you have seen and like. Lately I have been examining and practicing building “Brutalist style” websites. 

• Learning a new skill or hobby: Challenging yourself to master a new ability can be intrinsically rewarding, leading you to focus on the activity.

• Meditating or reflecting on your life: Taking time for self-reflection and inner exploration can make you lose track of time.

• Playing video games: Becoming engrossed in an interactive digital experience can make time seem to disappear. Remember the Big Ben word game?

• Writing a newsletter: Like Substack, obvs.

• Playing sports: Golfing, Skiing, Pickleball, Biking…

What do you like to do that time slips away?

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